Why do users want to disable updates on Xiaomi?
Automatic firmware and app updates on Xiaomi devices are often a source of irritation, with users complaining of sudden TV reboots in the middle of watching a movie, slowing down smartphones after another patch, or forcing unnecessary features to be installed.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable updates, from standard settings to hidden commands for power users. It’s important to understand that turning off security updates altogether can increase a device’s vulnerability, but in some cases (e.g., older TVs) it’s the only way to keep it running.
We will look at it separately:
- 📺 Xiaomi Mi TVs TV (generation)
- 📱 Smartphones and tablets MIUI (including Redmi, POCO)
- 🤖 Devices on pure Android TV (Like the Mi Box)
- 📦 Updates to apps via Google Play
We warn you in advance: some methods require developer rights or unlock the bootloader, which can lead to loss of warranty.
Method 1: Disable updates on Xiaomi Mi TV (official method)
On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall or Google TV, you can turn off automatic update downloads via the standard menu, a method that works on most models, including the Mi TV 4S, Mi TV Q1, Mi TV A2 and newer versions.
Step instructions:
- Open the settings (cog in the upper right corner)
- Go to About TV. → Updating the system
- Press three points. ⋮ top-right
- Select the Update Settings
- Turn off the slider Automatic update
- For reliability, also disable Wi-Fi Download and Update Notices
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Note: On some firmware, after turning off automatic updates, the TV will still check for new versions each time it turns on, and to avoid this, you need to turn off the Internet at launch time or use the server-locking method (described below).
Backup of settings (screen photo with parameters)
Record the current firmware version (in Settings → About TV)
Turn off the TV from the Internet during the manipulation
Check for Administrator Rights (if you plan to make a deep setup)-->
If after these actions the TV still offers to update, try resetting the network settings:
- Settings → Network and Internet → Resetting network settings
- Connect again, but do not enter your Mi Account details
- Skip the synchronization step with Xiaomi servers
Method 2: Block update servers via hosts (advanced method)
For users ready to dive into the technical details, there is a method of locking update servers through hosts file editing.This works on Xiaomi Mi TV with Android TV and smartphones with root rights.
You'll need:
- 🖥️ Computer with software ADB (Android Debug Bridge)
- 🔌 USB-cable
- 📄 Hosts file with blocking records
Step-by-step:
- Turn on Developer Mode on TV: Settings → About TV → Click 7 times on “Build Number”
- Activate debugging over USB in the developer settings
- Connect the TV to your PC and check the connection with the command: Adb devices
- Download modified hosts file with domain lock Xiaomi: List of blocked domains 127.0.0.1 update.miui.com 127.0.0.1 ota.tv.xiaomi.com 127.0.0.1 api.io.mi.com 127.0.0.1 sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com 127.0.0.1 ota.d.miui.com
- Upload the file to the TV with the command: adb push hosts /sdcard/
- Set the rights and replace the original file: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /system cp /sdcard/hosts /system/etc/hosts chmod 644 /system/etc/hosts
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Warning: Incorrect editing of the hosts file can result in loss of Internet access on the TV. Before manipulation, back up the original file with the adb pull /system/etc/hosts command.
Official settings on the menu
Editing hosts via ADB
Shutting down the Internet on the device
Use of third-party firmware
I haven't decided yet.-->
| Method of disconnection | Difficulty | Required. root/ADB | Reversibility | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official settings | ⭐ | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Medium |
| Blocking through hosts | ⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ ADB | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Tall. |
| Disabling Update Services | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Root | ⚠️ Partially. | ✅ Maximum |
| Third-party firmware | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Loader. Loader. | ❌ No. | ✅ Absolute. |
Method 3: Disable updates on Xiaomi smartphones (MIUI)
On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI shells, it is more difficult to disable updates due to the company’s aggressive policy. The standard shutdown in settings is often ignored by the system, so you will have to use workarounds.
Basic actions:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update MIUI
- 🔄 Press three points. ⋮ → Settings
- 🚫 Turn off Automatic Download via Mobile Data and Automatic Download via Wi-Fi
- 🔕 Enable Notification of new updates, but ignore them
For a more reliable result:
- Set background activity limit for the app Update: Settings → Applications → Application management → Update → Battery → Limit background activity
- Disable AutoRun: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Update → AutoRun
- Freeze the com.android.updater app via ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.updater
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Note: On MIUI 13/14, after major updates (e.g., from Android 11 to Android 12), the system can automatically unfreeze the update service, in which case you will have to repeat the procedure or use Magisk modules to permanently lock.
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If MIUI still offers to update after disabling the updates, try removing the Update app cache via Settings → Apps → Storage → Clear the cache. This will reset all downloaded service packs.
Method 4: Disable app updates in Google Play
A separate problem is the automatic update of applications through Google Play, which applies to both Xiaomi smartphones and Android TVs.
Standard method:
- 📱 Open the Google Play Store
- 👤 Click on the profile avatar → Settings
- 🔄 Select Network Settings → Auto-update of applications
- 🚫 Install Never or Only through Wi-Fi
For Xiaomi Mi TVs with Google Play:
- Open Google Play through the App section
- Scroll down to Settings (a remote with a microphone may be required for voice search)
- Select Auto-Update applications → Off.
If Google Play ignores the settings:
- 🛑 Turn off background activity: Settings → Annexes → Google Play Store → Battery → Limit the background
- 🔧 Use it. ADB Disabled service: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.vending (Warning: This Will Turn Off All Google Play!)
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Disabling auto-updates in Google Play does not affect MIUI system updates or TV firmware, but is managed by different services.
Method 5: Radical methods (for power users)
If standard methods don't work, you can resort to more serious measures, which require unlocking the bootloader, root rights, or custom firmware.
Options for smartphones:
- 🔨 Remove System Applications: Remove through ADB: pm uninstall --user 0 com.android.updater (update) MIUI) pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution (advertising modules) pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.market (Mi App Store)
- 🛡️ Use of Magisk modules: Disable Flag Secure (to disable protection) MIUI Optimizations Remover (removes forced updates)
- 📥 Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), where there is no update service Xiaomi
For Xiaomi Mi TVs:
- 🔧 Disconnection of services through ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.tv.update adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.gsf.update
- 🖥️ Firmware reflashing on Android TV without Xiaomi branding (e.g. EmberOS)
- 🔒 Blocking through firewall applications (requires root): Block outbound connections for com.xiaomi.tv.update Disable internet access for Google Play Services (cautionary!)
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Attention: Installing custom firmware on Xiaomi TVs is fraught with loss DRM-Keys (Netflix, Disney)+ stop working 4K HDR). On smartphones, this could lead to the blocking of banking applications due to lack of Google certification.
Method 6: Alternative solutions (if nothing helps)
If all of the above methods do not work, there are non-standard approaches:
For TVs:
- 📡 Use a router with a lock. DNS: Add to the blacklist domains: ota.tv.xiaomi.com update.miui.com android.clients.google.com
- ⏳ Remove the firmware to an older version through USB-Firmware (instructions are searched for on the TV model)
- 🔌 Physically disconnect the internet cable and use only local sources (USB, DLNA)
For smartphones:
- 📵 Use Airplane Mode with Wi-Fi only on (blocks mobile updates)
- 🔄 Regularly reset your Google Play Services settings: Settings → Annexes → Google Play Services → Warehouse → Clear the data
- 📦 Install an alternative app store (Aurora Store, F-Droid) and turn off Google Play completely
Critical information: On Xiaomi TVs with an Amlogic chip (such as Mi TV Stick), disabling updates can result in a loss of support for new codecs (Dolby Vision, AV1).
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When trying to disable updates, users often face typical problems:
Problem 1: Once you disable the updates, they still set up in the settings. Solution: Check if the TV is connected to your Mi Account. Xiaomi servers can force updates to the associated devices. Unplug your account in Settings → Account and Security.
Problem 2: Some features have stopped working on your smartphone after com.android.updater was removed.Solution: Don't delete the app completely - just freeze it through the app. ADB Titanium Backup: Complete removal can disrupt the operation OTA-centre.
Problem 3: The TV does not turn on or hovers on the logo after the firmware rollback. Solution: This means damage to the bootloader. You need to flash the device through the USB Burning Tool in erase all mode. Look for instructions for a specific model (for example, Mi TV 4A or Mi TV 5 Pro).
Problem 4: Google Play continues to update apps despite settings. Solution: Check if the device has device profiles installed (e.g., via MDM). They can override auto-update settings. Delete unnecessary profiles in Settings → Google → Device and profiles.